Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to move the venue for the annual workshop conducted by the board to Dubai from London. The workshop is scheduled for January 8 and 9. Franchise owners want it to be shifted to Dubai to not only cut down the cost which will ensure a few more representatives could attend the session but also save traveling time.

As per an Indian Express report five out of the eight teams – Kolkata Knight Riders, Rising Pune Supergiants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab want a change in venue. “Many franchises have written to BCCI saying they don’t want London to be the venue. Instead they want Dubai or another destination, which takes not more than four hours to reach. The BCCI is going to look into this request,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying.

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They also had a word with the BCCI Chief Executive Officer Rahul Johri and tried to convince him for the switch. “Workshops have been quite productive during previous years. For obvious logistical and expense-related reasons, we will have to limit the number of people we can take to London. The more people attend it, the better it is for us. Moreover, owners too don’t want to spend eight hours flying to London from India. Dubai is the best and most convenient option,” a franchisee official said on condition of anonymity.

At the same time, there are a couple of franchises in Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore who want it to be organized in India. The request has also been forwarded to the BCCI president Anurag Thakur. “If the conference happens in India, then we can cut costs. We all know what is the current financial status of these franchise. Many don’t want to spend too much money. If the IPL workshop happens in India then these franchises can ensure that more of their officials attend it,” another franchisee official said.